NZ vs AFG Live Score Updates (LatestLY)
Afghanistan have managed to put the highest team total of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026, managing 181 for 5 in 20 overs. Gulbadin Naib starred with 63, while others chipped in with 20s. Lockie Ferguson, despite claiming two wickets, was amongst the most expensive Kiwi bowlers.
FIFTY! A solid knock from Gulbadin Naib after being promoted up the batting order. Naib brings up his fourth T20I fifty in just 29 balls, which included two fours and three sixes, and have added 79. Sediqullah Atal.
After Lockie Ferguson’s double strike, Afghanistan have played with caution, and batter Gulbadin Naib and Sediqullah Atal have rebuilt the innings, adding 40 off 30. An important phase of the match, both batters need to stay as late as possible, as hitting for a new batter is tough here.
OUT! Lockie Ferguson gets the final laugh, and Rahmanullah Gurbaz gets himself bowled. Ferguson uses the slower ball to his advantage and fools the batter with a lack of pace, who went early into his drive, and managed to chop the ball onto the stumps.
OUT! Introduction of sheer pace, and Afghanistan lose the first wicket. Lockie Ferguson comes into the attack and removes Ibrahim Zadran, who failed to capitalise on the cut shot, and manages to hand a catch at point.
This has been a solid start by Afghanistan’s openers Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who have been cautious in the middle. Gurbaz did survive with the wicket-keeper dropping a chance due to confusion with fielder.
Afghanistan will hope their veteran openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran provide them a steady start. Zadran and Gurbaz will need to play out inital overs, with the new ball and fresh pitch helping the bowlers.
Afghanistan XI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (w), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan (c), Fazalhaq Farooqi, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Ziaur Rahman Sharifi
New Zealand XI: Finn Allen, Tim Seifert (wk), Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner (c), James Neesham, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Jacob Duffy
TOSS! Afghanistan win toss, and captain Rashid Khan opts to bat first against New Zealand in their T20 World Cup 2026 opener.
NZ vs AFG Team Form
For the Black Caps, this match is about more than just points; it is about redemption. In the 2024 edition of the tournament, Afghanistan famously bowled New Zealand out for just 75 runs, a result that ultimately led to the Kiwis’ early exit.
New Zealand enters this tournament following a challenging 4-1 series loss to India. However, the squad remains optimistic that the exposure to Indian conditions during that series has prepared them for the challenges of this World Cup. Afghanistan, conversely, arrives with momentum after a recent 2-1 series victory over the West Indies. ICC T20 World Cup 2026 Points Table With Net Run-Rate (NRR).
New Zealand National Cricket Team Squad: Mitchell Santner (c)Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi, Adam Milne
Afghanistan National Cricket Team Squad: Rashid Khan(c)Noor Ahmad, Abdullah Ahmadzai, Sediqullah Atal, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Naveen-ul-Haq, Mohammad Ishaq, Shahidullah Kamal, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Darwish Rasooli, Ibrahim Zadran.